INS Sagardhwani flagged off for Sagar Maitri V
DRDO's oceanographic research vessel INS Sagardhwani was flagged off from Kochi on 17 January 2026 for the fifth edition of the Sagar Maitri initiative, the Defence Ministry said on 18 January.
Summary
INS Sagardhwani, an oceanographic research vessel of DRDO's Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), was flagged off from Southern Naval Command, Kochi, by Radha Mohan Singh, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence, with DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat present. Sagar Maitri is a flagship Indian Navy–DRDO initiative aligned with the MAHASAGAR vision, promoting scientific interaction, especially ocean research, among Indian Ocean Rim countries. Under it, DRDO runs MAITRI (Marine & Allied Interdisciplinary Training and Research Initiative) for long-term ocean research collaboration with these countries.
Key facts
- Edition
- Sagar Maitri V (SM-5)
- Vessel
- INS Sagardhwani, NPOL (DRDO)
- Flagged off
- 17 January 2026, Kochi
- By
- Radha Mohan Singh, Chair, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence
- Partners
- Indian Navy and DRDO; aligned with MAHASAGAR
- MAITRI
- Marine & Allied Interdisciplinary Training and Research Initiative
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Which vessel was flagged off from Kochi in January 2026 for the fifth edition of the Sagar Maitri initiative?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — INS Sagardhwani
PIB (Defence): INS Sagardhwani, NPOL's oceanographic research vessel, was flagged off for Sagar Maitri V on 17 January 2026.
INS Sagardhwani operates under which DRDO laboratory?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory
PIB (Defence): INS Sagardhwani is India's oceanographic research vessel under the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) of DRDO.
In the context of the Sagar Maitri programme, MAITRI stands for:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Marine & Allied Interdisciplinary Training and Research Initiative
PIB (Defence): DRDO initiated a scientific component titled MAITRI — Marine & Allied Interdisciplinary Training and Research Initiative — under Sagar Maitri.